First day of work (of the first job ever!) I land in the new office, clothes crisply ironed, nails clipped, shoes polished to a shine. Smartly dressed (albeit my light paunch spoiling the picture, but anyways) and attired with an attitude. I get introduced to my boss (Asian-American, Brand Manager), my superboss (Kiwi, Associate Marketing Director) and am already pretty impressed with the smart people around. Then I go on to meet the uber-efficient admin in-charge of the office, the ever-helpful JiaJia (Singaporean).

And this is when all the fun begins.

Me: Hello JiaJia. Nice to meet you. Please show me around the office, and help me set up my desk.
JJ: Hello Harrissh. Let me get your name right, I have to mail back India about your arrival. So you are Harrissh Nawa.. Nawana.. Nawaya… Nawayaa..Nawayananana…Norain…
Me: (Panicking) Just call me Harish, JiaJia. That’s like Harry, you know, with a ’sh’ at the end.
JJ: Aah. Ok OK.

One should hear the Chinese speak in Singapore. This variant of English is called ‘Singlish’ (just the way we have a Bambaiya English). JJ is one of the well-spoken Singaporeans I have met. But usually what gives it away is ‘Yaaeeesss la! caaan’.  Anything remotely related to yes is ‘can’ and anything else is ‘cannot’. Pretty logical, and pretty binary, I must say. Also representative of the simple minded straight-forwardness of most people.

The ‘caaaan’ beats most hindustani classical singers in raag and tal. I am reminded of Russel Peters and ‘Theitee four feeftee’ when i went to Chinatown. This is a fun place, I have to give it that. Small but fun. Just like the people :)

Will write about the coolest Singaporean I met, later.

(2 votes, average: 3.5 out of 5)

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